| Rank | Corporal |
| Service # | A34957 |
| Unit # | 5th Field Coy R.C.E. |
| Resident | Pembroke |
Born 12/07/1917 at Guilds, ON. Harwich Twsp. ON. The son of George and Lydia (nee Pegg). Next of kin: wife Jean (nee Cracknell). They were married 12 June, 1943 in Pembroke, ON. BNT 23/06/43.
William enlisted in London, ON. in October of 1940 at Depot 1. He was sent to Toronto, ON. to the Army trade School at Central Tech High School, taking plumbing and sheet metal classes. He transferred to Petawawa, ON. with the RCE, where he completed his advance training and was made an instructor. In 1942, he was assigned to 21st Field Co. and moved to Delbert, NS., and from there to Vernon and Terrace BC. William was transferred to 5th Field Coy. RCE at Petawawa in late 1942 and spent the winter there. In May of 1943, he moved to Aldershot, NS. before leaving for overseas in July 1943.
A photo with three other Blenheim enlistments appeared in the Blenheim newspaper paper reporting they were all serving overseas in England. BNT 31/05/44. He served in England before leaving for Normandy, France on 6 June, 1944. On D-Day, he landed on ‘Red Beach’ at Bernier Sur Mer. He served in France, Belgium, and Holland. He was wounded in action at Heranthaut, Belgium, where he was shot in the leg. He spent nine months in hospital and finally returned to Canada in July 1945 on the S.S. Isle de France.
William was discharged from the army in October 1945. He and his wife, Jean, had a daughter named Mary Lou (Little). His other children were Robert, Chris, Judi (Derkzen), Dena (Slauko), and Janet (Gallent). NB. He started his plumbing business in Blenheim and ran it for a number of years before moving to Sudbury, ON., where he was an inspector for the Provincial government. Eleven years later, he retired and returned back to Blenheim.
William became involved in many things when he returned to Blenheim. He was the secretary of the Blenheim Rotary Club, a member of the Blenheim Kinsmen Club, the Chair of the Blenheim District High School Board, a member of the Blenheim Historical Society, and founder of the Red Cross clinic in Blenheim.
William passed away 23/04/1987 at the age of 69 years at Victoria Hospital, London, ON. Burial at Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. BNT-Obit. 28/04/87.
Afa: BUC-RH, TBD-RH, NB, BFL-B.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Awards | 1939 to 1945 Star, France and Germany Star, 1939 to 1945 Defence |
| Sources | BUC-RH, TBD-RH, NB, BFL-B, Jean (Crackell) Attridge, Mary Lou Little, (daughter) |
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